19 March 2023
Saturday, 18 March, was a big day for Durban High School hockey. It was the day that the beautiful, new Blue and Gold AstroTurf hosted its first official derby day, with Saint Charles – fittingly a school that also identifies with blue and gold – visiting from Pietermaritzburg.
In pre-season, non-cap, warm-up matches, both schools had shown that they possessed good 1st team units, but on Saturday in Durban it was the home team, very visibly loaded with skilful ball players, that came away with a 3-0 victory, to give the Blue and Gold Astro a DHS win on its competitive debut.
While DHS held the edge overall, Saints’ 3rds recorded the biggest victory of the day. DHS took three wins to Saint Charles’ two in the under-16 age group, while DHS swept the four under-14 games, but three of those contests were decided by only one goal.
Hockey
Results
1st: DHS 3-0 Saint Charles
2nd: DHS 0-0 Saint Charles
3rd: DHS 0-8 Saint Charles
16A: DHS 3-0 Saint Charles
16B: DHS 3-0 Saint Charles
16C: DHS 3-2 Saint Charles
16D: DHS 1-2 Saint Charles
16E: DHS 0-5 Saint Charles
14A: DHS 2-0 Saint Charles
14B: DHS 1-0 Saint Charles
14C: DHS 2-1 Saint Charles
14D: DHS 2-1 Saint Charles
Rugby
After an impressive 2022 season, which saw DHS produce the attractive, effective running game that the better DHS teams have produced over the years, optimism is high for 2023. The Durbanites’ 1st XV shook off the rust in their season-opener on 11 March, going behind 8-17 at half-time before rallying for a 39-17 victory over Voortrekker Bethlehem, and that stood them in good stead on Saturday in Pietermaritzburg, where the rugby matches took place.
DHS dominated, winning all seven of the matches on the schedule, with the 1st XV rolling to a 52-14 victory. At this early stage of the season, it is, however, difficult to read anything into those results as their value will become clearer with more matches under the belt.
Next weekend, though, it’s the great traditional rivalry against Maritzburg College, which will steal the spotlight. The 1st XV showdown will be broadcast on SuperSport as part of the Premier Interschools Series.
Results
1st: Saint Charles 14-52 DHS
2nd: Saint Charles 0-71 DHS
3rd: Saint Charles 7-22 DHS 3rd/4th
16A: Saint Charles 5-64 DHS 16A/B
15A: Saint Charles 0-28 DHS 15A/B
14A: Saint Charles 0-36 DHS 14A/B
14B: Saint Charles 0-38 DHS
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